Bear Necessities' wish: a paid-off mortgage

A Chicago charity that offers comfort to young cancer patients has kicked off a capital campaign — of sorts.

Instead of raising money to build a facility, the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation has launched a $2.2-million "hope campaign" to pay off its mortgage.

The group's office on Wacker Drive and Dearborn Street was purchased a year ago for $1.2 million, but the $6,000 monthly payments have been a burden — even without having to pay real estate taxes (non-profits are exempt).

"We thought it would be better to defray those costs so we can focus more dollars on our mission," says Kathleen Casey, who heads the organization.

Named in memory of Ms. Casey's son, Barrett "Bear" Krupa, who died of cancer at age 8, Bear Necessities has a $1.7-million budget, seven employees and a mission to fund cancer research projects nationwide.

High-profile names are often associated with the group. The charity made headlines for turning down a donation from Patti Blagojevich's stint on a reality-TV show.

Earlier this month, Blackhawks star Patrick Kane — with Stanley Cup in hand — visited a child suffering from cancer at his home. The organization recently sent a Lady Gaga fan to Milwaukee to see the singer perform live.

Ms. Casey acknowledges that the mortgage-payment campaign is out of the norm, but it allows the group's focus to remain sharp: "fund programs."

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She's still comfortable with the decision to buy for the long term.

"Do you rent or do you buy? The market was right for us to buy," says Ms. Casey, who made the decision along with board members, including Eric Lundstrom, founder and president of Downers Grove-based Focus Capital Advisors Inc., and Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens.

SMART IDEA: Chicago Public Schools just sent reminders to sign up for the annual Principal for a Day program, which is Oct. 21 — and there's a new request that participants donate at least $1,000 in cash or in-kind services, such as supplies or job shadowing.

A few executives have already signed up, including Gregory Sachs, president and CEO of Sachs Capital Group LLC; David Mendelsohn, partner in DLA Piper LLP; and Darryl Rosser, president and CEO of Sagus International.

That program will require visiting business leaders and other volunteers to spend the entire day in the schools, up from a morning-only program followed by a lunch.

"Principals this year will spend the lion's share of the day engaging with students and staff," the spokes-man says. "We want them to be more engaged. That's what can lead to a more long-standing and tangible relationship."

PLAY DEBUT: Who will be on hand for Regina Taylor's talk on her world premiere? Read about it in my blog.